News

Makin' Macon Fit Saturday, Sept. 11

Written by Jessie Ellefson

Published: Tuesday, September 07,2010

The annual Makin’ Macon Fit Family Fitness Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 11, at Macon County Junior High School and will include all of the highly anticipated events from years past along with a few new features for participants to enjoy.

Supported completely by local volunteers, primarily the Macon County Rotary and Interact Clubs, the Macon County Health Council and Macon County General Hospital, the event is designed to benefit Macon County Schools and teachers with funds raised donated directly to our local educational program.

Starting off the day, State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver will sing the National Anthem at 7:15 a.m., which will be followed by a moment of silence in honor of 9-11.

Fitness events will then begin at 7:30 a.m. with the 5K Race, sponsored by Nestle Waters, and the 3-Mile Walk, sponsored by Citizens Bank.

At 8 a.m., participants will begin the 1-Mile Walk, a new event sponsored by Macon Bank & Trust, the 10-Mile Bike Tour, sponsored by Knollwood Manor, the 33-Mile Bike Tour, sponsored by North Central Telephone or the 66-Mile Bike Tour, sponsored by the Macon County Times.

“The one-mile walk has been added as an event this year so that those who aren’t physically able to take part in the 3-mile walk, still have an event they can participate in. Senior Citizens may especially be interested in signing up for the one-mile walk,” Makin’ Macon Fit Chairperson Stacey Brawner stated. “Children can also participate in the 10, 33 & 66-Mile Bike Tours, but a parent or guardian is required to ride with them if they are under the age of 12 in the 10-Mile and under the age of 16 in the 33 or 66-Mile Tours.”

Kids events will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with the Obstacle Course/Bike Rodeo. The Bike Rodeo is open to pre-school through 8th grade students and is sponsored by the Palace Care & Rehab. The Fun Run will follow at 10 a.m. Trophies will be awarded this year to the ‘Fastest Boy’ and the ‘Fastest Girl’ who participate the Fun Run.

“There will be a bouncy tent on site,” said Brawner, “along with a bungee run for children. Kids really enjoy the obstacle course, fun run and the bike rodeo every year! I’d like to remind parents that helmets are required for the bike rodeo and any other bike riding event.”

Events for the challenged, sponsored by Coordinated School Health, will begin at 9:30 a.m. and are open to anyone with a disability.

Ten bicycles, both childrens’ and adults’, will be given away at the close of the event by way of a drawing. Winners must be present to win, and all participant names will be included in the drawing. Door prizes will also be up for grabs and all pre-registered participants will receive this year’s Makin’ Macon Fit t-shirt.

Vendors will also be set up under a tent in a central location, where healthy snacks and bottled water, donated by Nestle Waters, will be handed out to participants.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to come out and participate in this event,” Brawner remarked. “This is a great family event that promotes the importance of living a healthy lifetstyle and remaining fit.”

“We’d really like to thank our sponsors,” Brawner said. “Every year, they get behind this event and show their support.”

Pre-registration forms are available at any local branch of Citizens Bank or Macon Bank & Trust and can also be picked up at Macon County General Hospital. Runners and bike riders may register online at active.com. The pre-registration period ends after September 3, 2010. Participants are welcome to register the day of the event, but are urged to take advantage of the pre-registration period.